Device for the automatic dispensation of detergents, particularly for use with fullyautomatic washing machines



Feb. 26, 1957 NB E 2,782,621 DEVICE FOR THE AUTOMATIC DISPENSATION 0F DETERGENTS, PARTICULARLY FOR USE WITH FULLY AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Filed July 30, 1953 N V E N TOR f. GOT TFRIBD LEUENBBRGER A TToR/VEYS United States Patent 6 DEVICE FOR THE AUTOMATIC DISPENSATION F DETERGENTS, PARTICULARLY FOR USE gITHfiSFULLY AUTOMATIC WASHING MA- Gottfri'ed Leuenberger, Schlieren, Switzerland, assignor to Ad; Schulthess &' Ci). A. G., Zurich, Switzerland Application July 30, 1953, Serial No. 371,235 Claims priority, application Switzerland August H, 1952 3 Claims. (Cl. 68-17) Although in fully automatic washing machines: the variousphases of the'process are carried'outautornatically," a-certain amount of'attendance and supervision by an operator is indispensable, afterthe'washinghas been placed'in the machine and the washing machine has been switched on. Thus, for example, the person whooperates th'ema'chine hasto ensureat the. n'ghttime, the introduction of the detergents for the preliminary washingphase and for boiling.

The purpose of the present'invention is to establish a device for the automatic dispensation of detergent, so as to enable the detergent for the boiling to be introduced-at the same time as the detergent for the preliminarywashing phase, immediately after switching onv the washing machine, so that the detergent for the boilingis supplied automatically when, in the course of the automatic regulation of the process, the tub is filled with fresh water for boiling.

, The device of the present invention is provided for this purpose with a container, connected to the water inlet for the reception of the detergent required for the boiling of the washing, so that the water for boiling, when it is turned on, runs through this container and flushes the prepared detergent into the tub.

The drawing shows a possible design of the present invention.

Fig. 1 shows a side view of the device fixed to the tub of the washing machine for the dispensation of the detergent,

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through the device, at a larger scale,

Fig. 3 is a front view of the device, with the container removed, and

Fig. 4 is a partial side view of the container for the detergent.

The automatic detergent dispensation device shown in the drawing is provided with a T-tube 1, with a vertical cross-piece 1a, whose lower end opens into the tub 2 of the washing machine. The upper opening of the crosspiece of the tubular angle 1a is employed for the direction introduction of the detergent for the preliminary washing. The middle part II; of the T-tube is in a horizontal position and serves as a guide for the container 3, shaped like drawer, for the reception of the detergent W for the boiling of the washing. The openings of the tubular parts In and 1b are flanged into corresponding large round openings of the washing machine casing 4 and can be closed by covers. An annular shoulder 5, supporting a bracket 6, is fixed in the opening of the horizontal tubular part, and a screw '7, in the longitudinal direction of the tubular part lb, is welded or riveted to the bracket 6. A cover 9 with a screwed-on knob 8 covers the opening of the tubular part 15. The screwed-on knob is provided with a tapped hole 10, which is used to screw the knob on the screw 7 of the bracket 6, so as to press the cover firmly against the opening of the tubular part lb. The container 3, shaped like a drawer, is one half of a tube with, at one end, a frontal wall 3a and two stop shoulders 3b which are in- 2,782,621 aaientedreb'. 26, 195.7

tended to. butt against the bracket 6. The container is secured in itscorrect angular position. (upright) by, the shoulders 3b butting against the bracket 6.. The screw knob 8-has' a reduced part which is pushed through a central bearing hole 11 in the frontal wall 3a, it can be turned inthis hole and is. secured by a Seeger circlip 12. A rubber sealing ring 13 is located between the frontal wall 3a of the container 3 and the cover 9, and its edge projecting round thecircumference' of: the frontal wall 3a .seals the opening of part 112 between the annular shoulder 5 and the cover 9, while the inner edge oftherubber sealing ring 13 seals the central opening 11 between a shoulder of the screw knob 8 and the frontal wall 3a, as soon as the screw knob is tightened. 1T4 is a water. inlet fitting, which. passes through the wall of .the tubular part 1b at its upper part, on theside, and thewater pipe 14a is connected toit. The waterinlet fitting. 14 is directed towards the bracket 6 and the frontal wallSa of the container 3 in such a way that, when the automatic water inlet valve is opened, the jet of water from the inlet fitting 14 is spread out like a fan by the bracket 6 and deflected downwards into the container 3; so. that the detergent prepared for the boiling is flushed from-this container into the tub. A drip channel 15 is fixedbelow to the water inletfitting 14, so that any water or condensation dripping from the fitting 14 is caught and runs ofi-intothe tub. This prevents the wetting of the detergent (washing powder), prepared in the container 3, during the preliminary washing.

The;v detergent required-for the preliminary washing-is introduced directly from above, through theopening of the tubular part 1a, immediately after the Washing machine has been switched on and as soon as the water inlet is opened. Immediately afterwards, the container 3, fixed to the cover 9, is removed by unscrewing the knob 8; it is then dried and charged with the detergents, washing powders, soap flakes etc. required for the boiling of the washing, and pushed into the tubular part lb. The screw knob is then tightened again. The detergent, thus prepared, is mixed automatically with the fresh water which is run into the tub for the preparation of the boiling lye, flowing through the container 3 and flushing the detergent into the tub, after the lye of the preliminary washing has been drawn off.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to a now preferred example and embodiment of the invention it will be understood by those skilled in the art after understanding the invention, that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and it is intended, therefore, to cover all such changes and modifications in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A device for the automatic dispensation of detergents, particularly for use with fully automatic washing machines, comprising in combination, a container for the reception of. a detergent required for a washing oper ation, said container being in association with a tub and having a connection to a water inlet, said connection being such that when water is admitted for the washing operation it will flow through said container and flush the detergent into the tub, said container being shaped like a drawer scoop and removably slid into a position leading into the tub, said container being situated beneath the opening of the water inlet, said water inlet being provided with a valve so that when the valve is opened the detergent is flushed into the tub, a T-shaped tubular part having the cross-tube portion in a vertical position, the lower end of said cross-tube portion being fixed to the tub and opening into the tub, said tubular part being used to introduce the detergent for the preliminary washing, the leg of said tubular T-part being in horizontal position and receiving said drawer-shaped container, the water inlet fitting passing through the horizontal part of the T-shaped part and opening into said drawer-shaped container.

2. A device for the automatic dispensation of detergents, particularly for use with fully automatic washing rnachines, comprising in combination, a container for the reception of a detergent required for a washing operation, said container being in association with a tub and having a connection to a water inlet, said connection being such that when water is admitted for the washing operation it will flow through said container and flush the detergent into the tub, said container being shaped like a drawer scoop and removably slid into a position leading into the tub, said container being situated beneath the opening of the water inlet, said water inlet being provided with a valve so that when the valve is opened the detergent is flushed into the tub, a T-shaped tubular part having the cross-tube portion in a vertical position, the lower end of said crosstube portion being fixed to the tub and opening into the tub, said tubular part being used to introduce the detergent for the preliminary washing, the leg of said tubular T-part being in horizontal position and receiving said drawershaped container, the water inlet fitting passing through the horizontal part of the T-shaped part and opening into said drawer-shaped container, said drawer-shaped container having a frontal sealing cover with a rubber sealing ring to seal a water opening of the horizontal part of said T- shaped tubular part.

3. A device for the automatic dispensation of detergents, particularly for use with fully automatic washing machines, comprising in combination, a container for the reception of a detergent required for a washing operation,

said container being in association with a tub and having a connection to a water inlet, said connection being such that when water is admitted for the washing operation it will flow through said container and flush the detergent into the tub, said container being shaped like a drawer scoop and removably slid into a position leading into the tub, said container being situated beneath the opening of the water inlet, said water inlet being provided with a valve so that when the valve is opened the detergent is flushed into the tube, a T-shaped tubular part having the cross-tube portion in a vertical position, the lower end of said cross-tube portion being fixed to the tub and opening into the tub, said tubular part being used to introduce the detergent for the preliminary Washing, the leg of said tubular T-part being in horizontal position and receiving said drawer-shaped container, the water inlet fitting passing through the horizontal part of the T-shaped part and opening into said drawer shaped container, said drawer-shaped container having a frontal sealing cover with a rubber sealing ring to seal a water opening of the horizontal part of said T-shaped tubular part, a bracket with an axial screw in the opening of the horizontal part of said tubular T-part, a screw knob passing centrally through the frontal cover of said drawer-shaped container and engaged with said screw in the bracket so as to enable said frontal cover to be pressed against the opening of the horizontal portion of said T-shaped tubular part.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,267,785 Chamberlin et a1 Dec. 30, 1941 2,431,040 Harvey Nov. 18, 1947 2,575,335 Douglas Nov. 20, 1951 2,604,386 Arant July 22, 1952 

